Huancayo, Peru

Capital City

With a population of over 364,000, Huancayo is the fifth largest city in Peru, but it's no tourist paradise. The central highlands location means bitter cold nights and a heavy bureaucratic burden. During the Shining Path conflict in the 1980s, the city was wracked by violence, and even today the effects linger - the former mayor was assassinated by a political rival. Still, Huancayo serves as the economic and social center of the region, with universities, a thriving craft scene, and access to the Andes. If you can handle the cold and the red tape, this gritty commercial hub might be the place for you.